Golf club hand grip

ABSTRACT

A golf club hand grip formed of a tubular sleeve of substantially circular cross-section surrounding the free end of the golf club shank, with the grip being formed in an elongated, truncated conical shape whose larger base is at the sleeve end closest to the club head end of the shank and whose smaller base is adjacent the free end of the shank, so that the outer surface of the grip is gradually tapered along a straight line taper whose smaller diameter is adjacent the free end of the club, for the full length of the grip, with the grip smaller diameter end terminating in an integral, enlarged diameter knob-like portion.

United States Patent [191 Jacques [451 Sept. 24, 1974 GOLF CLUB HAND GRIP [22] Filed: June 18, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 370,669

[52] US. Cl. 273/81 R, 273/72 R, 145/61 R, 43/18 R [51] Int. Cl A63b 53/14 [58] Field of Search 273/67 R, 67 D, 67 DA, 273/72 R, 73 J, 75, 81 R, 81 B, 81 D, 81.3,

81.4, 81.5; 145/29 R, 61 A, 61 M, 61 J, 61

R, 2 R; 74/551.1, 551.8, 551.9; 43/18 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 913,264 12/1962 Great Britain 273/67 DA 278,078 1/l952 Switzerland 145/61 R Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant ExaminerRichard J. Apley Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Cullen, Settle, Sloman & Cantor 71 ABSTRACT A golf club hand grip formed of a tubular sleeve of substantially circular cross-section surrounding the free end of the golf club shank, with the grip being formed in an elongated, truncated conical shape whose larger base is at the sleeve end closest to the club head end of the shank and whose smaller base is adjacent the free end of the shank, so that the outer surface of the grip is gradually tapered along a straight line taper whose smaller diameter is adjacent the free end of the club, for the full length of the grip, with the grip smaller diameter end terminating in an integral, enlarged diameter knob-like portion.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures GOLF CLUB HAND GRIP BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Conventional golf club hand grips are normally formed of a tapered sleeve arranged upon the free end of the golf club shank, that is, the end remote from the club portion formed on the shank. Such sleeves are conventially tapered from a wide free end portion towards a narrow end which is the end closest to the club end of the shank.

Such type grips provide a relatively poor hand gripping surface, particularly for less proficient golfers. Thus, attempts have been made in the past to vary the shape of such grips or sleeves, as for example, by varying the cross-section at different points along the length of the grip or forming curves or depressions or the like along the length of the grip. However, such types of changes in the grip shape are of limited use. That is, they are not comfortable, nor the best grip formations for a variety of hand sizes and shapes.

Hence, the invention herein relates to an improved configuration of hand grip which is universally usable by golfers, despite variations in size and shapes of their hands.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The invention herein contemplates forming the golf club hand grip sleeve with a straight-line external taper on a roughly circular cross'sectional sleeve, to form an elongated, truncated conical shape grip whose wide base is at the grip end closest to the club end of the shank and whose narrow base is closest to the free end of the shank. In effect, the taper is reversed as compared with conventional golf club grips and the taper is continuous, gradually decreasing in diameter from the end closest to the club end of the shank towards the free end of the shank. Preferably, the free end of the sleeve, that is, the smaller diameter, is provided with an integral, knoblike enlargement acting as a stop or retainer to prevent the club from slipping lengthwise out of the golfers hands.

The foregoing configuration, namely, the gradually changing, straight line outer surface taper of reverse configuration, provides a much better hand gripping surface, as compared with conventional club handles or grips, and moreover, is usable by most golfers despite variances in the sizes and shapes of their hands, simply by locating their hands along the most comfortable portion of the grip. The result is an improved hand grip which is universally usable, that is, by most golfers, without increasing the cost or expense of such type grips.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent upon reading the following description, of which the attached drawings form a part.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates the improved grip, illustrating the grip held by a pair of hands.

FIG. 2 illustrates the grip, per se. FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a golf club with the improved grip.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views of the grip and grip portion of the golf club, taken along arrows 4-4 and 5-5, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 3 illustrates a conventional golf club 10 which comprises an elongated metal shank 11 having a conventional head 12 formed at its lower end. The shape of the head varies depending upon the particular model and purpose of the club. The improved hand grip member 13 is preferably in the form of an elongated sleeve formed of a rubber or rubber-like plastic, whose degree of resiliency or hardness may vary. The outer surface thereof may be scored or roughened in some conventional manner for better gripping.

The grip member sleeve is formed with a tubular internal opening 14 which receives and surrounds the free end 15 of the shank, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The grip member is shaped like a much elongated, truncated cone, which is gradually tapered along a straight line uniform taper to form a tapered outer surface 17. The wide or large diameter base 18 of the conical shape is closest to the head end of the shank. Conversely, the smaller diameter base 19 of the conical shape is adjacent or near the free end of the shank, thus providing a uniform, gradual, straight line reverse taper on the hand grip. Preferably, the grip member sleeve is substantially circular in cross-section throughout its entire length, and the base 18 is integrally joined with a short tapered portion 20, terminating in a small diameter ring portion 21, provided for ease in slipping the club into a golf bag. That is, the narrowed portions 20-21, avoid the club catching upon the open edge of the bag, or other clubs, as the club is slipped into the bag.

The free end of the grip member sleeve, that is, the smaller diameter base thereof is provided with an integral, knob-like enlargement 22 which is roughly circular in cross-section and joined to the main portion'of the sleeve surface by a wide or large diameter fillet connection 23.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the gold club is grasped by a pair of hands 24 and 25 in the conventional manner. The goler may locate his hands along the most comfortable portion of the length of the grip. The knob-like enlargement 22 with the fillet portion 23 acts like a stop or retainner to prevent the club from sliding endwis'e out of his hands should the golfer relax his grip. Further, some golfers may prefer to place their hands adjacent or bearing against the knob-like enlargement for increasing their grasp upon the club.

The above described construetion provides a more comfortable and much improved, gripping surface upon the hand grip of the club and should, with most golfers, have an effect or tendency to improve their game.

Having fully described an operative embodiment of this invention, I now claim:

1. In a golf club formed of an elongated shank with a club head provided upon one end of the shank and a hand grip provided upon the opposite, handle portion of the shank, with said hand grip being in the form of an elongated tubular grip member surrounding the bane dle portion of the shank, the improvement comprising:

said grip member being of unitary construction and having a first portion closely adjacent the free end of said handle portion and a second portion spaced from said first portion toward the club head end of said handle portion of sufficient length to accommodate both hands of the golfer, said grip member circular cross-section knob-like annular enlargement formed on its first portion at the free end of said handle portion.

3. A golf club as defined in claim 1 wherein said grip member further has an integral outer surface portion extending from said second portion and being gradually tapered in a uniform straight line second taper to thereby form an elongated uniform truncated conical shape whose largest diameter is said largest diameter of said second portion and having its smallest diameter at the club head end of the grip, said second taper being more pronounced than said first taper. 

1. In a golf club formed of an elongated shank with a club head provided upon one end of the shank and a hand grip provided upon the opposite, handle portion of the shank, with said hand grip being in the form of an elongated tubular grip member surrounding the handle portion of the shank, the improvement comprising: said grip member being of unitary construction and having a first portion closely adjacent the free end of said handle portion and a second portion spaced from said first portion toward the club head end of said handle portion of sufficient length to accommodate both hands of the golfer, said grip member being substantially circular in cross-section throughout its length, and its outer surface being gradually tapered in a uniform, straight line first taper from said second portion to said first portion to thereby form an elongated, uniform, truncated, conical shape having iTs smallest diameter at the first portion of the grip and its largest diameter at the second portion of the grip; said grip member being thicker at said largest diameter than at said smallest diameter.
 2. A golf club as defined in claim 1 wherein said grip member further has an integral, enlarged, substantially circular cross-section knob-like annular enlargement formed on its first portion at the free end of said handle portion.
 3. A golf club as defined in claim 1 wherein said grip member further has an integral outer surface portion extending from said second portion and being gradually tapered in a uniform straight line second taper to thereby form an elongated uniform truncated conical shape whose largest diameter is said largest diameter of said second portion and having its smallest diameter at the club head end of the grip, said second taper being more pronounced than said first taper. 